Hi, and welcome back to the awfully quiet podcast. How is it already December? The year is winding down and it's been the first full year of the awfully quiet podcast. I just want to take a quick second to say how grateful I am to see so many of you tuning in week after week. And I also want to welcome anyone who is new to the show.

It is not lost on me that these past episodes have really been heading home for you. And I'm seeing so many new listeners tune in and I personally feel like with every episode, every piece of content I create, I lean a little deeper into my voice, my tone and style and it's giving quiet, but edgy. And honestly, I'm feeling it.

I'm getting braver about the way I talk about this mission to make being awfully quiet something to own at work. Not something to shrink away from. And honestly, I think it's overdue. Here's the thing. Career advice for introverts is so basic. It's always like, speak up more, don't be so shy, or don't be so quiet.

As if we're delicate little wallflowers hiding in the shadows. No thank you. We belong at the table, in the boardroom, making the big calls, period. Quiet isn't a weakness, it's a strategy. Introversion isn't some hurdle to overcome, it's the edge that sets us apart. You know that subtle is the new bold and we're claiming our space without changing a damn thing about who we are.

Do let me know if you're feeling this. Now on to today's episode. This topic always gets a lot of love whenever I post about it because job interview questions can feel like a minefield. For anyone who doesn't know, I have an entire course that shows you how to answer tricky interview questions and prep for interviews in just a weekend.

But today I want to tackle one question in particular, one that I know tends to send you into full panic mode. And it is, tell me about yourself. Now, if you're anything like me, this question puts your nervous system into overdrive and has you sweating, overthinking and desperately wish to teleport out of the room.

It is not just that it feels like a trick question where you're never quite sure what they want to hear from you, but it's also that it's usually asked by a complete stranger. someone you don't know or have just met, someone who is assessing your abilities, someone who holds power over you, your career progression, your life in a way.

And as introverts, let's be real. We do not just tell someone about ourselves. In fact, we'd rather keep all of our damn selves to ourselves. And if someone's going to get that level of personal info. They better have earned it. But you know what? All drama aside, this question is actually not that deep. And today I'm going to show you exactly how to answer, tell me about yourself in a way that's introvert friendly and leaves you feeling confident, calm and in control.

You might even start seeing this question as an opportunity, not a nightmare. Sound good? Let's dive in. Now, yes, you did just hear me say, tell me about yourself is an opportunity. And I know you don't really believe that yet. So let's unpack this. The question is everywhere. It is not just job interviews.

It's also one to one connects, starting a new role, meeting new colleagues. It's practically stalking you. Now, here's what's important. The number one thing you absolutely under no circumstances should ever do when answering this question. Do not ever Use it as a chance to word vomit your entire career history.

This is not tell me your life story. It's not a narrated LinkedIn profile and it is also not an excuse to list every job you've ever had. Biggest mistake, period. And here's a little insider confession. Very few people actually answer this question well. And I do not say that lightly. Back in the day when I worked in HR, I eventually stopped asking this question.

Why? Because people would just ramble, think, nervous word vomit, random tangents, and absolutely zero structure. It was painful to listen to. And I get it. This question feels like a trap. It's open ended and vague. And you're probably wondering, what do they even want from me? But here's the thing. Because so many people, both extroverts and introverts, by the way, Miss the mark.

This question is actually a golden opportunity for you. This is your moment to stand out your introspective brain, your overthinking tendencies, or they're going to serve you here. When done right, this question can set the tone for the entire conversation. It's your chance to leave a killer first impression.

One that says, I'm here, I'm prepared, and I know what I'm bringing to the table. And the best part? It is not rocket science. There are three, just three key elements to absolutely nail this, and I'm breaking them down for you with real life examples you can start using right away. All right, let's get into it.

We're here to tackle the dreaded question, tell me about yourself. Again, this question comes up in various different professional settings and people generally suck at it. Not you though, not anymore. Because after you listen to this episode today, You're going to crush this question. Hell, I think you're even going to start looking forward to being asked this question.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Now, a few episodes ago in episode 55, we talked about the concept of personal branding. How to share three key things about yourself so people at work actually remember you, not just as just another employee, but as the go to person for your expertise, for what you want to be known for.

A quick recap, if you missed it, though, you should totally go back and listen after this. Building your personal brand is about intentionally shaping your reputation. It's how people talk about you when you're not in the room, how they think of you when opportunities arise, and whether your name is the first one that comes to mind for the next big project, role, career opportunity.

And here's the cheat code. People at work need to know three things about you, who you are, what you do well, and what it is that you want. And spoiler alert, these three things They're exactly what you need to nail the tell me about yourself question to. Now the bad news is, there is no one size fits all answer.

Sorry, you can't just memorize a cute little speech, hit play and call it a day. But that is actually a good thing. Because this framework, these three elements. allow you to adapt. You'll have different variations of your answer ready to go for different situations, job interviews, networking events, casual coffee chats.

Let me ask you this. Have you ever heard someone on a podcast tell their career story so well that you were actually hooked? Like, wow, this is so good. I'm invested in this person's childhood trauma and how it led to their career in tech. You know, it's so good because they've told that story a hundred times before.

It's not rehearsed word for word, but it's practiced. They've got the structure down. They tweak it depending on the audience and the vibe, but the core story, it's the same thing. That's exactly what you need to do too. The same story, but flexible, delivered in a way that connects with whoever you're talking to.

Now, I'm not going to lie to you. This takes a little bit of effort, but here's the thing. Most people do not do this well. And the people who do, they stand out big time. And I get it. You're probably thinking, but I'm not on podcast sharing my life story. Fair. But even if you're not planning to go full TED talk, you can still hold yourself to that standard.

This skill, the ability to talk about yourself with clarity and confidence, it's an absolute career game changer. Especially if you're introverted. Why? Because as introverts, this shit does not come natural to us. Telling strangers about ourselves No thanks. Finding the right words to explain what we're good at, that can feel like bragging.

And don't even get me started on how awkward selling yourself can be. But that is exactly why this framework is powerful. When you, as an introvert, have a tool like this in your back pocket, it's a game changer. It is not loud or showy. It's subtle. It's you. And guess what? It works. So let's get deeper into the three things you need to say when someone asks you, tell me about yourself.

Now, this is where the meaty part starts. This three part framework exists for two simple reasons. One, so you can actually remember it and two, so it actually lands with your audience. There is just something so innocent and simple about the number three, that is easy to understand and remember. And let's be real, no matter how much you practice this stuff.

You will always get hit with a tell me about yourself in situations that feel nerve wracking, high stakes, unnatural. You just don't feel like yourself in these situations. So you're already dealing with that. The last thing you need. is a complex four step framework to remember what you need to say. Your answer just needs to include three things, and they don't even have to be in that exact order.

It's number one, who you are, your personality. Number two, what excites you about this role, the project, or the conversation that you're in. And number three, Where you're headed, your vision, ambition, and goals. Now, people usually screw this up in one of two ways. They either overshare personal details or they keep it so dry and professional that it puts everyone to sleep.

Now, I'm guessing you lean towards the latter and that was me too. I feel like it's a good instinct, but being too buttoned up is actually a mistake. Your answer needs balance, structure, sure, but also a little charm. This isn't your life story or a 10 minute TED talk. It's a teaser and it really is only two minutes maximum.

So let's start with the personal, the first element to answering, tell me about yourself. If you're introverted. This part can be game changing, because introverts are often perceived as reserved, maybe a little distant, cool, when in reality, what's going on inside your mind is fascinating. This is your moment to share just a glimpse of that with the people you're talking to.

Find something about yourself that's easy to share. a nugget of personality that's relatable and leaves them curious for more. It could sound something like I am someone who thrives on high energy teams and ambitious goals. I love collaborating to create real impact and really move the needle, but on the weekends, I am total hermit mode.

You'll find me at the dog park throwing sticks and sipping flat whites. Introvert me loves nothing more than relaxing with my dog and recharging for the week ahead. Do you see what happens here? It paints a picture. It's professional but personal. Someone who slays dragons during the week and unwinds with their dog and a fancy coffee on the weekend.

It's vivid, memorable, human. And yes, full disclosure, that is totally me. But it could also be you with your own little spin. Now the second part. This is actually the one you always need to slightly adapt to the situation that you're in. It's what excites you about the role, the team, or the project that you're starting.

This part needs to feel fresh and tailored to the situation Tell me about yourself is asked in. It's what makes you excited about the role you're applying to or the project you are just starting or passionate about the conversation you're about to have. For example, I am genuinely thrilled about this position because it aligns perfectly with my experience and gives me the chance to grow my leadership skills.

Or another example, This project has been in the works for so long, and I am excited to finally dive in with this killer team to help the brand connect with younger audiences. Now, why does this work? Because excitement is contagious. People connect with energy. When you start by sharing what genuinely lights you up, You set a positive tone, you inspire confidence, and honestly, you make the whole situation feel less nerve wracking for you and for them.

Now the third part is what you want and where you're headed. This part ties it all together. It's your vision, your goals, and how this situation fits into your long term plans. Here is how it could sound like in a job interview. I've been a brand marketer for five years now, and I'm working toward a senior leadership role where I can apply my expertise and guide teams to success.

This opportunity feels like the perfect next step to make that vision a reality. Or another example, when starting a new project, my ultimate goal is to elevate this brand to the top spot among young consumers. This project is a critical piece of that, and I am thrilled to get started. See, there are so many different variations and nuances to this.

It's about genuinely sharing who you are, what you're passionate about, and what lies ahead. It doesn't tell the full story, no, but it gives an interesting glimpse. It shows intention, ambition, and direction. Things everyone wants to see. So now that we've heard some examples for the three different elements, I want to leave you with one killer example that can inspire you to craft your own version.

Now imagine it's two years from now, you've just landed your dream role, managing a small marketing team, working on a portfolio of killer brands. It's your first day and you're in a team meeting and someone says, we're so excited to have you here. Why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself? And here is what you might say.

Hi, everyone. I am really happy to be here. What you might not know is I've secretly been a fan of this team for years. These brands are my personal favorites. I am probably one of your biggest buyers. So it's surreal to now be part of this group. And shaping the future. I've been in marketing for over a decade across various roles, but what I've always loved most is shaking things up, bringing fresh ideas and turning challenges into opportunities.

And I hear that is exactly what these brands need to stay relevant. With younger audiences. Now I am all about collaboration and driving results, but I'll warn you, my calendar is sacred injured. Me loves carving out deep focus time for big picture strategy and outside of work. You'll probably find me in sweatpants with headphones on recharging with some quality me time.

I cannot wait to get to know all of you and hear what drives you too.

Wouldn't you love to work for that person? I know I would. And even better, be that person. Now, let's wrap this up. Tell me about yourself isn't an invitation to ramble. It's your chance to make a lasting impression. You want to stick to three elements, who you are, what excites you and where you're headed.

You want to keep it clear, concise and captivating. Leave them curious, not overwhelmed. The more you do this, the more you're going to uncover your own unique personal style and what works for you. Let them take a peek inside, but still leave a little room for mystery. And I think at the end of the day, that is exactly a place for you.

Whereas introverts can thrive and feel comfortable, feel like ourselves. Now I hope you leave this episode inspired, motivated, and excited to get into your phone notes and start crafting your own answer to tell me about yourself. I absolutely do want to hear from you when you end up using this framework and I want to hear how it went.

I hope you stay awfully quiet and proud of it. See you next week.